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Hi New Bedford, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: An office-to-housing push, a half marathon, and a game-trading flea market with 100% store credit + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around New Bedford protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Adaptive reuse accelerates housing: In February, Massachusetts awarded $1.1 million in tax credits to convert a former New Bedford nursing home into 65 homes, part of an office-to-housing push creating new units statewide — see where conversions are planned.

What drivers should expect: MassDOT’s bridge repairs in New Bedford are underway, bringing nightly lane closures in both directions. Expect at least one lane open throughout, with work continuing through June, weather permitting — get closure and timeline details.

Favorites that brought people together: A Newton couple recently completed a six-year quest to visit all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, naming New Bedford’s Restaurant Algarve a favorite and inspiring more statewide exploration — explore their favorite local spots.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

All the crowd favorites:

• Sell games, score store credit
• Scavenger hunt for Eric Carle pictures
• Craft seashell flower bouquets with Jessie
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Vintage with neighborhood soul: Hewn offers a rotating mix of vintage and secondhand finds, plus bags, sunglasses, perfume, incense, candles, and intentional home decor. It’s downtown New Bedford energy, thoughtful and unfussy… the kind of spot you’ll want to check weekly.

Movie night, revived: In a beautifully restored hall, Zeiterion Performing Arts Center brings back big-screen magic with cinephile-friendly Movie Mondays and standout one-off screenings that feel like events. It beats the couch; The Z makes an ordinary evening feel special, with history, sound, and shared gasps.

Tapas night, sorted: Craving variety? Cork Wine & Tapas keeps things lively with shareable plates (the New Bedford scallops included), a smart wine list, and the occasional live tune, ideal for catching up with friends or slipping into a low-key date night.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎸 Toe Jam Puppet Band @ Buttonwood Park Zoo | Monday (3/9) at 10:00 AM – If your Mondays need a morale boost, take the kids to BPZOO for Toe Jam Puppet Band, all laughs, silly songs, and extra bubbles. The puppets out-charm your family text thread, and everyone ends up dancing. Two shows, $10 per family after admission, cash only.

🌳 Ancestry Library Edition – Irish Records Collection @ New Bedford Free Public Library – Main Library | Saturday (3/14) at 10:30 AM – Track down your Irish roots at the library using Ancestry Library Edition’s Irish records, including parish registers, census snippets, and passenger lists. See whether Nana’s Cork tale holds water, or if that “from Cork, sort of” story finally gets receipts.

🛍 The Armoury Flea Market @ The Armoury Wargames and Hobbies (Fairhaven) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Clear out the shelf of shame at the Armoury Flea Market, where you bring cards, minis, and games, get table space, and trade them for 100% store credit. Friendly haggling, fellow lifers, and a chance to mine the backroom stash await.

🎈 Big Blue Family Fun Day @ Big Blue Swim School (North Dartmouth) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Take a break from errands and dip into Big Blue’s grand opening in Dartmouth, a shiny new swim school even lifelong locals can get excited about. Tour the state-of-the-art pool, grab treats, music, games, giveaways, and a limited-time deal, all free.

☘ Aoife Clancy and more @ The Shepherd Center (Fairhaven) | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats a proper Irish night with Aoife Clancy and Eddie Dillon, all chemistry, stories, and harmonies. Expect Celtic roots, a dash of Americana, and plenty of crackling banter. No pints, just tunes, concessions, and $20 online or $25 at the door.

🐚 Seashell Flower Bouquet @ These Two Crafty Chicks | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Skip the sandy car, make the beach come to you with Jessie’s seashell flower workshop. Craft three sea glass and shell blooms, nest them in the provided vase, and add extras for eight bucks each, materials included, no experience required. Guided, calm, mantle-ready.

🏃 2026 New Bedford Half Marathon @ United States Postal Service | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’re chasing a PR or just outrunning winter, New Bedford’s annual half marathon tours the Whaling City with a breezy harbor stretch and that cheeky late-mile hill. Expect hearty crowds, serious runners, and quality excuses for carbs, coffee, and a long afternoon nap.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 New Bedford report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 51°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 41%

A chance of rain and patchy fog before 11am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain between 11am and 1pm, then patchy drizzle and patchy fog. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Patchy fog. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind around 8 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 1%

Sunny, with a high near 50. Southwest wind 6 to 14 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 6 to 12 mph.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

This 3-bed, 1.5-bath bungalow in New Bedford’s North End pairs classic charm with smart updates. Rooms with hardwood floors set the tone, and a spacious kitchen offers ample cabinetry. A detached garage and off-street parking add ease. Fresh paint, an updated bath, a new roof, and a new front porch bring peace of mind near parks, dining, and major routes.

Take a peek inside →